Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings threatens to cancel agreement with ICE over costs

Demings sent a letter to the feds expressing concern about how much it’s costing local taxpayers to house people detained by ICE in the Orange County Jail

by McKenna Schueler February 17, 2026February 17, 2026

News

Discovery Cove accused of refusing to recognize divers’ union, violating federal labor law

Company management has allegedly refused to negotiate a union contract with workers who unanimously voted to form a union last year.

by McKenna Schueler February 17, 2026February 17, 2026

Labor

Florida bill targeting unions could be unconstitutional, staff analysis warns

As written, the bill could infringe on collective bargaining rights guaranteed to Florida workers under the state constitution

by McKenna Schueler February 17, 2026February 17, 2026

Orlando Area News

Orange County officials consider resolution symbolically opposing ICE facility

After hours of discussion and a fiery public comment period, county leaders ultimately delayed any formal action.

by McKenna Schueler February 13, 2026February 16, 2026

a nonprofit that donates drug checking tools

News

Florida Senate advances bill to decriminalize drug checking tools

Under current law, the use or possession of any drug checking equipment other than fentanyl test strips is considered a criminal offense

by McKenna Schueler February 13, 2026February 13, 2026

News

Orange County Sheriff’s Office buys ice-cream truck with money ‘seized from drug dealers’

According to OCSO, the total cost of the truck (including interior and wrap) was roughly $92,000

by McKenna Schueler February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

News

Florida moves to incentivize employers to make it harder for their workers to unionize

It’s not a unique idea, and no, the bill sponsors didn’t come up with it themselves.

by McKenna Schueler February 6, 2026February 8, 2026

News

Florida Republicans advance bill to allow ‘opportunity’ to earn less than minimum wage

Critics argued the bill undermines the will of a majority of Floridians who voted to raise the state minimum wage in 2020.

by McKenna Schueler February 6, 2026February 5, 2026

Protesters gather for anti-ICE protest outside Orlando City Hall

News

Central Florida advocates launch ‘No ICE in our streets’ online petition drive

Petitions will be automatically filed with the signer’s local, state and federal representatives

by McKenna Schueler February 3, 2026February 9, 2026

News

City to place construction fencing outside Pulse nightclub as next step in memorial process

Don’t worry, the fencing is not another hostile move by the state Department of Transportation.

by McKenna Schueler February 3, 2026February 3, 2026

News

Florida lawmakers unanimously advance bill to expand protections for temp workers

The bill would make it easier for temp workers to secure stable jobs and establish accountability measures for exploitative temp agencies.

by McKenna Schueler January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

News

Florida Republican says ‘American Dream is dying’ because minimum wage is too high

A Florida House committee advanced a bill that would legally allow employers to pay certain entry-level workers less than the state minimum wage

by McKenna Schueler January 28, 2026January 28, 2026

News

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer says the city can’t block feds from building ICE detention center

Dyer, who’s not seeking re-election next year, says their hands are tied by the federal supremacy clause in the U.S. Constitution.

by McKenna Schueler January 28, 2026January 28, 2026

Group of student activists with Youth Action Fund and Girls in Law

News

Student activists organize ‘Red Card’ immigrant rights campaign for Orange County schools

They’re planning to publicly present their idea to the Orange County School Board on Feb. 10

by McKenna Schueler January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

News

Orlando lawmaker Anna Eskamani calls to defund, abolish ICE after Alex Pretti killed

Eskamani doesn’t have the power to withhold funding from ICE, but local U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost has similarly stated that he believes “ICE is lawless and should not exist.”

by McKenna Schueler January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

Hundreds rally outside of Orlando City Hall in protest of an ICE agent's killing of Minneapolis woman Renee Good (Jan. 11, 2026)

News

Orlando activists plan ‘ICE Out for Good’ protest in solidarity with Minneapolis day of action

Unions, community organizers, and faith leaders in Minneapolis are organizing a one-day economic shutdown on Jan. 23 in protest of violence waged by federal ICE agents.

by McKenna Schueler January 23, 2026January 23, 2026

News

Feds toured Orlando warehouse as potential new ICE detention center

Orlando City Council member cautiously ‘skeptical’ of rumored plans for ICE detention center

by McKenna Schueler January 22, 2026January 22, 2026

News

Officials join voices, ask Disney to investigate restaurant group for alleged workers rights’ violations

Disney has consistently ignored requests for comment on calls from workers and lawmakers to investigate.

by McKenna Schueler January 19, 2026January 19, 2026

News

‘Be brave’: Advocates repeat demand for Orange County to end work with ICE after killing of Renee Good

More than a dozen people pleaded with Orange County leaders on Tuesday to seek legal clarification on its obligations to federal immigration enforcement.

by McKenna Schueler January 14, 2026January 14, 2026

News

Legislative session primer: Florida bills to keep an eye on in 2026

From further eroding abortion rights to making it harder to access the state’s meager unemployment benefits, Florida lawmakers have filed a number of bills they hope to turn into law this year.

by McKenna Schueler January 12, 2026January 12, 2026